Improvement in shaft-cottplings



G. A. BUCHANAN.

Thill Coupling.

No. 94.392. Patented Aug. 31, 1869.

N PETERS. PHOTO-LXTHOGRLPNER, WASHINGTON D C hind-2d giant $312111 (Militia.

GEORGE ANTHONY BUCHANAN, OF TEL FORD STATION, PENNSYL- i VANIA.

Letters Patent No. 94,392, dated August 31, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHAFT-COUPLINGS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1', Gnoncn ANTHONY BUCHANAN, of Telford Station, Montgomery county, State of Pen nsylvania, have invented an Improved Coupling for the Shafts or Pole of a Carriage; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention consists of a carriage-shaft or pole,

' specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a sideview of one of the shafts or pole of a carriage constructed according to my improvement, showing the two parts disconnected; I

Figure 2, the same, partly in section, with the two portions coupled together; and

Figure 3, a plan view, also partly in section.

A represents aportion of one of the shafts or pole of a carriage, having at its rear end an eye, a, by means of which it is secured, in the usual manner, to a clip or other device attached to the axle.

The shaft A is divided, at a point adjacent to its rear end, into two portions, 1) and b, which are arranged, as 1 will now proceed to describe, so that they can be readily connected together, and as readily disconnected from each other.

In the front end of the section b of'the shaft is formed a recess for the reception of a flattongue, 0, of the section b, the latter being maintained in the said recess by means of a tapering or wedge-shaped key, f, which passes through openings in the section I) and tongr This key is attached to a steel spring, 71 which is secured to the shaft at a point, z, the said spring being arranged to lie closely to the shaft, with its key inserted into the opening of the same, and being bent upward at its outer end, so that it may be drawn back, as seen in fig. 1, when the section b of the shaft is to be connected or disconnected.

A principal advantage of my invention is, that it enables the shafts or pole of a carriage to be instantly disconnected from the same should the horses become unmanageable; and to facilitate the operation of the springs 72- from the drivers seadcach of the said springs may, if desired, be provided with a suitable strap or cord, attached to its outer end.

It will be seen that the spring h accomplishes the twofold purpose of retaining the wedge f in connect-ion with the section I), so that it cannot be lost or mislaid, without interfering with its free removal, and of covering the opening in which the wedge enters, so as to prevent the access of dust and moisture, and the consequent jamming or rusting of the wedge in its place.

I do not claim, broadly; securing the two parts of a f, adapted to openings in the sect-ion b and tongue 9"- as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. BUCHANAN. Witnesses:

JACOB Gnnnnn, ELIAS SHELLENBERGER. 

